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Red Bull Double Pipe contest coming to Aspen

The world’s best snowboarders hit Aspen in two weeks with a big decision to make: One halfpipe or two?

From March 19-23, Aspen is hosting the inaugural edition of the Red Bull Double Pipe contest, for which two (count ‘em) competition-spec halfpipes will be constructed side-by-side, complete with rails, wall rides and channels, at Buttermilk Mountain.

According to the competition overview, the “double pipe” will allow riders to move back and forth between the two halfpipes in a single run and offer the possibility of tricks and stunts and combinations on both, not possible with the traditional single halfpipe.

“Progression is a beautiful thing,” says John Rigney, vice president of sales and events for Aspen Ski Company. “It’s always incredibly exciting having the best athletes in the world competing here in Aspen/Snowmass, but to see this select group tackle an entirely new challenge at Buttermilk right here in our backyard is going to be amazing.”

A news release says riders will be judged not only on their technical abilities, but on their style, creativity and use of the course.

Plans call for each halfpipe to be more than 550 feet long, approximately 68 feet wide, and 22 feet tall with an approximate four-foot wide spine located in between each pipe. Including the outside walls, this is expected to be the largest halfpipe feature built to date.

The current superpipe located on Buttermilk Mountain will be closed to the public during the construction, but after the contest, the Red Bull Double Pipe will be open for the public to ride.

The Red Bull Double Pipe contest will be televised April 12 at 4 p.m. on NBC.